Republican John Lastinger defeated Democrat Chuck Hightower in a special election for a vacant South Carolina state House seat.
The seat was vacated by former state Rep. RJ May, who “pleaded guilty this year to distributing child sexual abuse material,” The Hill noted.
Lastinger won the election 62.3 percent to 37.7 percent.
BREAKING: John Lastinger (R) WINS South Carolina State House 88 Special Election, defeating Chuck Hightower (D), 62%-38%
Republican HOLD! pic.twitter.com/dszZ2MkT6v
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 24, 2025
More from The Hill:
May pleaded guilty to five counts this fall, according to documents from the U.S. attorney’s office for the District of South Carolina. He faces the possibility of significant prison time as he heads to sentencing in January.
U.S. Attorney Bryan
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